Good leadership is the heart of any
functional human establishment. It is, according to a Somalian proverb, like a
good head that is the key to a healthy body; the vision, without which a people
perishes (Proverbs 29:18). The renowned
Nigerian novelist and critic, Chinua Achebe, blamed the decaying state of his
own people, Nigeria, on bad leadership. “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and
squarely a failure of leadership,” he categorically declared.
The question of
leadership has occupied humanity for millennia. From ancient histories to
contemporary times, sages, philosophers, and social scientists have grappled
with it. Theories abound in an attempt to distill its essence. Some anchor it
on a leader’s traits, behavior, or style, while others situate it on the
leader’s environment, management skills, or relationship with others. The different
theories imply a nuanced understanding based on context and personality.
